The Great Feminist Poetry Movement

Since time
immemorial, men held the sole authority when it came to the field of the arts,
literature and philosophy. Back then, they could not fathom the idea of women
as thinking creatures. This became the reason why all manner of knowledge and
creative prowess, like the art of poetry, was dominated by men. However,
women’s literature, specifically women’s poetry, began to rise and develop
hand-in-hand with the various waves of the feminist movement: from the right to suffrage to equal treatment
in society.

First Muted Voices of Women

Unknown to many,
even during the Medieval and Renaissance period, there were already learned
women, albeit these women were very few and often either in the classes of the
aristocrats or the religious. However, during this time, womankind already
understood the power of the written word. That is why many of them took
advantage of their literacy to gain as much knowledge that they could from
written materials. The early women writers, from the 12th century to
the early 20th, experienced much fear and discrimination. The idea
of literature written by women was so ridiculous to a cultured society that
their works were often remained unpublished, belittled or they had to write
under a man’s name. This was the case for the Brontë sisters, Louisa May
Alcott, and George Eliot.

Great Women in Poetry

Despite the lack of
expectations by a society ruled by men, many women still shone in the field of
literature, and several women poets arose to find their place in the literary
canon. The first among them is the Greek poetess, Sappho whose poems about love
and sexuality managed to reach us through copies of her poetry in other
literary works.

The Brontë sisters
of 19th century England are now mostly known for their novels, but
they also wrote poems that were published posthumously. From the same period in
England, there were also the poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning, made famous by
her romantic sonnets, and Christina Rosetti, known for her poem, “Goblin
Market.”

Women’s literature
in America cannot be complete without mentioning the poetess, Emily Dickinson.
Sadly, her numerous and highly-acclaimed poems, known for their deviation from
the classical style of poetry writing, were only published after her death. She
was followed by the thought-provoking works of poets, Sylvia Plath and Anne
Sexton.

The Poetry of Colored Women

Much of feminist
poetry talk about the experiences of women in their position as the lesser sex
in comparison to the men. They often speak about women’s desire for recognition
and equality as human beings with the same capacity as thinking and feeling
individuals. Another is the realisation of equal rights as men for women when it
comes to the right to vote, having the freedom of choice and in pursuing their
own dreams and aspirations.

The poetry of women
of colour is especially distinct when it comes to the ideas of freedom and
choice as their narratives as women are tied intricately with their history of slavery and racial
discrimination. Most critics and readers could not hide their disbelief in the
idea of a woman slave named Phillis Wheatley being able to read and write
poems. Several centuries and decades after her, the struggles of women and in
various races could still be read in the writings of Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya
Angelou, and Alice Walker.

Women’s Contemporary Poetry

At present, women’s
poetry continues to blossom as more than the issues of gender, race, and
equality, there is also themes of individuality, sexuality, and societal roles
to write about. Even if the feminist movement in society and literature has
paved the way for better treatment and opportunities for women, it is not
equally felt by all women in all parts of the world.

Contemporary poets
like Nikki Giovanni and Mary
Oliver continue the tradition of poems that deal with the self, in relation to
nature and society. Meanwhile, young poets like Lang Leav, Megan Falley, and
Rupi Kaur brings to the poet’s stage the emotional dilemmas and challenges by
experienced by the young people of today.